Amyloidosis Exposed: New Hope with Dr. Vick

BioTalk Unzipped

Summary

Dr. Andy Vick discusses his work at Attralus Therapeutics, a biotech company focused on developing treatments for systemic amyloidosis. He explains the etiology of the disease and how Attralus is attacking it using therapeutic antibodies with a pan amyloid reactive peptide sequence. The company is also developing a diagnostic tool to visualize amyloid burden in patients. Dr. Vick emphasizes the importance of toxicology in drug discovery and development, describing its role in evaluating the adverse side effects of drugs and ensuring safety. He also highlights the challenges of finding animal models for rare diseases like amyloidosis. In this part of the conversation, Andrew Vick discusses his transition from working in a contract research organization (CRO) to a small biotech company. He highlights the similarities and differences between working in biotech, pharma, and CROs, emphasizing the motivation to help others and improve the quality of life. The conversation then shifts to a discussion about a novel mRNA-based cancer vaccine for glioblastoma, which shows promise in early research. The vaccine wraps the RNA specific to a patient's tumor in lipid nanoparticles, stimulating a robust immune response against the cancer.

Takeaways

• Attralus Therapeutics is focused on developing treatments for systemic amyloidosis using therapeutic antibodies with a panamyloid reactive peptide sequence.

• The company is also developing a diagnostic tool to visualize amyloid burden in patients.

• Toxicology plays a crucial role in drug discovery and development, evaluating the adverse side effects of drugs and ensuring safety.

• Finding animal models for rare diseases like amyloidosis can be challenging. Andrew Vick transitioned from working in a contract research organization (CRO) to a small biotech company, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two.

• The motivation to help others and improve the quality of life is a common thread in biotech, pharma, and CROs.

• A novel mRNA-based cancer vaccine for glioblastoma shows promise in early research, stimulating a robust immune response against the cancer.

Sound Bites

"Attralus Therapeutics is focusing on biologic-based therapeutics and diagnostics related to amyloidosis."

"Toxicology is the science of evaluating the adverse side effects of drugs."

"Attralus Therapeutics' lead product is a therapeutic antibody with a panamyloid reactive peptide sequence."

"This novel mRNA vaccine shows promise against deadly brain cancer."

Chapters

02:22 Dr. Vick’s Charity Work in Brazil

06:30 Introduction to Attralus Therapeutics

07:41 Developing Treatments for Systemic Amyloidosis

10:35 The Role of Toxicology in Drug Discovery and Development

16:38 Using Animal Models Studying Amyloidosis

22:06 The History of Attralus and Dr. Vick’s Transition There from CRO

32:45 New News! - Promising Results of an mRNA-Based Brain Cancer Vaccine

New News Story: Glioblastoma vaccine turns brain tumors from cold to hot in humans and dogs

https://www.fiercebiotech.com/research/glioblastoma-vaccine-turns-brain-tumors-cold-hot-humans-and-dogs

Media credits:

Pilot

https://www.amazon.com/Military-Aircraft-Cockpit-Photograph-Picture/dp/B07Z2KM6KY

UF

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/florida/2024/03/11/university-of-florida-axes-diversity-and-inclusion-office-under-gop-led-law-aimed-at-ridding-similar-programs/

Music

Track: "CLARITY", Mifune

Music provided by https://slip.stream

Download / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/KFCilm

Keywords

Attralus Therapeutics, systemic amyloidosis, therapeutic antibodies, panamyloid reactive peptide sequence, diagnostic tool, toxicology, drug discovery, drug development, animal models, rare diseases, transition, contract research organization, CRO, biotech, pharma, motivation, quality of life, mRNA-based cancer vaccine, glioblastoma, lipid nanoparticles, immune response

#biotechnology #science #research #toxicology #glioblastoma #braincancer #vaccine #amyloidosis